Miners, energy stocks continue to sap ASX

Commodity-related stocks and financials continue to weigh on the Australian share market but the healthcare sector has climbed into the day.

The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index clawed back some ground but was still down 15 points, or 0.26 per cent, to 5,843.8 by 1200 AEDT on Wednesday, while the broader All Ordinaries was 15.6 points, or 0.26 per cent, lower at 5,908.7.

Global markets remain subdued after the International Monetary Fund trimmed its 2019 global economic growth estimates on Monday, while data from China on the same day confirmed the country's slowest economic growth rate in 28 years.

The major US indices closed lower following reports the Trump administration rejected an offer from China for preparatory talks ahead of next week's high-level trade negotiations.